A
young sailor(Tenor) – Sets the scene
by singing an annoying ditty about Irish girls in front of Isolde,
infuriating her. [Act I: Scenes 1-2]

Isolde (Soprano) – Is
an Irish princess. She was originally taken to be King Marke’s wife,
but after drinking a magic potion, became Tristan’s unconsummated
lover. [Act
I: Scenes 1-5; Act II: Scenes 1-3; Act III: Scenes 2-3]Brangäne(Soprano) – Is
Isolde’s companion and maid. She spends most of her time
attempting to console or reason with Isolde throughout the opera. It
is Brangäne who mixes the potions in the first act, offering Tristan
and Isolde
a love potion instead of a death draught. Brangäne also
confesses this
to King Marke, attempting to save the lovers before the opera’s
end. [Act
I: Scenes 1-5; Act II: Scenes 1&3; Act III: Scene 3]

Kurwenal (Baritone) – Is
Tristan’s companion and squire. He is Tristan’s only trusted
friend and stays by his side, even when his love for Isolde goes
against the King. After Tristan is mortally wounded, Kurwenal takes him
back to his castle to nurse him back to health. Kurwenal dies defending
Tristan’s
honor after killing Melot and attempting to kill King Marke. [Act
I: Scenes 2&4; Act II: Scene 3; Act III: Scenes 1&3]

Tristan (Tenor) – Is
a trustworthy knight from Cornwall and King Marke’s nephew.
He originally introduced himself to Isolde sometime earlier as Tantris,
after mortally wounding her fiancé in battle. After drinking
a love potion, he
and Isolde become lovers. [Act
I: Scenes 2&5; Act II: Scenes 2-3; Act III: Scenes 1-3]Melot (Tenor) – Is
a courtier at King Marke’s court. Once a friend of Tristan,
Melot spies on him and plans to denounce their love in front of the
king, and is subsequently killed during the action. [Act
II: Scene 3; Act III: Scene 3]

King
Marke (Bass) – Is the King of Cornwall
and Tristan’s
uncle.
[Act
II: Scene 3; Act III: Scene 3]

AShepherd (Tenor) – Plays
a song of lament upon his pipe until he sees a ship on
the horizon. Then he switches his tune to one of joy and cheerfulness.
[Act
III: Scenes 1&3]

A
Steersman (Baritone) – Tells Kurwenal
that resistance is futile as King Marke and his
men storm through the gates of Kareol. [Act
III: Scene 3]